How to Spot a Coven Bitch [Eitan]

[Tobias]

Tobias would watch as he looked over at Eitan for a moment, before nodding observantly towards Eitan. It appeared the glamour, Tobias had put up had been working; although it appeared that Tobias' magic was much more useful than he thought, and perhaps also dangerous to himself. His energy began to tire out as he pushed himself to maintain the glamour further "Eitan." He whispered as he continued to push himself further. He appeared to be tired from the amount of Aether he was using to maintain the cloak of invisibility amongst them, although he continued to observe as they lead him to their hideout. It appeared to be an old house.

He watched as an eleven year old child was being taken into the building; Tobias realised what they were doing. The same grooming ceremony that he had into witchcraft. He sighed as he shook his head as he tapped Eitan as he grabbed Eitan and tugged him back; he could feel lethargy settle in as he weakly dragged his body to the safety, eventually the glamour dissipated and Tobias' Aether had been tired out from excessive use at his stage in development. He could barely stand up "Fuck, I overused my magic. I should've stopped but... We've got. Information right? I..." He could feel himself go limp for a moment as he collapsed.

It was true, Tobias had pushed himself, but perhaps too far this time. Maintaining a glamour for two people was a challenge for Tobias; although he may have pushed himself too far beyond his capabilities as a illusionist.

[Eitan Angevin]

There was a look of concern in Eitan's dark eyes as he regarded his Aspirant. They were both tools of the state, and it was his responsibility to see that Tobias was well-used but not ruined in service. He nodded then whispered tersely.

"You've done well. They are endangering a child, however, so we must act. There's a constabulary three blocks away on High and Fluss. Commandeer all hands as backup. I'll keep them busy in the meantime."

He holstered his weapon, then flipped his mage-killer up so it was rather hidden by his arm. Tobias couldn't know it, but he was weaving a full shield against magic around himself and would be safe from magical attack until they could pacify those present. The constables would surely send a runner to the nearest Order precinct, and with any luck, they would have expert backup coming soon as well.

But Eitan needed to keep them occupied so the child wasn't harmed in their perverted rites.

He reached up to take Tobias by the nape of his neck, steadying him.

"You've done well," he repeated, needing Tobias to internalize that, needing him to have a foundation upon which to build his confidence. "Now hurry. We can save the child from a dire fate." He turned the slender man around and gave him a nudge in the right direction. "High and Fluss." The cross streets weren't far and Tobias ought to be able to find them without a problem. He just repeated things in case any sort of brain fog had settled in from the overuse of his Masquerade.

[Tobias]

Tobias could hear what he was saying, but his mind was cloudy and his body needed to a moment to recover from pushing himself from Aether use. There was no question that he had to persevere through the pain. Nothing was easily done, nothing was easily worth had. The phrase that Eitan had said before suddenly came back to him as he was balanced. No matter how much pain he was in, he had an emergency to deal with. The words that Eitan had repeated over and over again came in fractions of speech.

His mind had been clouded by the sudden overstepping symptoms that he had occurred, but it was something he had to ride through and deal with. He needed to be a reliable source for the Order and prove himself that he was for the good of Zaichaer and prove malicious gossipers wrong about him. When he saw the child, it sickened him inside. He felt like vomiting inside, knowing these witches would go out of their way to ruin Zaichaeri lives. He nodded and ran as fast as he could.

He would push himself to nearly fainting as he reached the constabulary and knocked frantically. A group of Zaichaeri guards and reconciliators would nod as they received the warning of Tobias coming through. He eventually would try to lead them, but he appeared to be too exhausting "Aspirant Zorrothy, are you alright?" He asked as he nodded, but it appeared he wasn't. He was just pushing through the pain "I'm fine, Watcher Angevin is already at the scene. He needs backup fast, I was sent to you to retrieve it" He panted.

The group of reconciliators armed themselves with firearms, swords and other things as they prepare themselves to commandeer the building "You're not hurt are you? You seem exhausted." A reconciliator replied. Tobias looked up and sighed "I swear, I'm fine, lets just get there before Watcher Angevin gets himself into a bigger situation, he's planning on going in alone to hold them off." Eventually, they prepared themselves. Tobias arrived at the scene, hoping Eitan hadn't made any drastic decisions. He became worried for him the more their relationship grew.

Maybe that was the hint that would encourage him to follow on more slowly. However, he did feel somewhat tired and extremely exhausted, as much as he wanted to push through it. His physical body appeared to be weakened by the sheer amounts of aether used to keep the glamour up. A brave choice for Tobias, but perhaps a stupid one.

[Eitan Angevin]

When the constables and—what good luck!—Reconciliators arrived to back him up, Eitan had managed not to stir up the hornets' nest. When he was moderately certain the woozy Aspirant could do what he needed, Eitan had waited a while, observing from the obscurity of the shadows. When he thought Tobias ought to have arrived at the precinct, he walked to the door of the building. His gamble paid off and the people he had followed weren't the ones who answered, and so he was able to feign an inebriated confusion while he wove a shield between him and the doorman, warding against magic and weapons.

The ranking Reconciliator took control of the situation.

"Angevin's a warder," he said, "so constables, you rush behind him. He'll keep you safe from witchcraft and weapons. We will take the perimeter."

"Sir!" replied the ranking constable in a harsh whisper with a sharp salute. The others saluted as well, drawing weapons and preparing.

"Give us a minute's headstart. Zorrothy... you stay here."

The Reconciliators scattered and the constable began to count. He nodded to Tobias, expecting he would follow orders because he didn't know the man's temperament at all, and then the constables began to trot toward where Eitan stood gesticulating in the doorway.

The doorman's eyes narrowed when he spotted the constables.

"Sleep!" he commanded, but Eitan didn't sleep. "Fuck!" When he attempted to stab the Watcher with a concealed dagger, it clanged out of his hand and he cursed again at the bruising he got from the shield. Eitan rushed him then, slamming the man into the wall with his aetheric shield. Once, twice, thrice, and then the blows to the head took their toll and the doorman slid to the floor, unconscious. Eitan's drunk act was gone and he nodded to the constables, speaking briefly before disappearing deeper into the house.

[Tobias]

The moment Eitan and the Constables stepped into the house, it appeared that they were preparing the child for an initiation. It appeared the child was under a trance caused by Mesmer magic, often allowing his mind to be subdued to whatever they were doing with him. Patricia growled out as she shook her head, knowing she was outnumbered. Some of the coven witches thought against Eitan and the constables, but it appeared they were outmatched. The child had still been in a trance; like he was staring into the distance, unshaken and yet unknowingly made a puppet to the Coven's ways. The fact is, was this even a coven, or some rogue group of witches who operated in the shadowy corridors of Zaichaer.

This was a mystery but they were not finished, the coven witches appeared to be outnumbered, but most of them had escaped by entering the Slipspace. It appeared the Rune of Traversion was quite popular amongst them. However, the one thing they left was the uninitiated child, bearly moving. Mesmer appeared to be the magic at work against the child. It would require another Mesmer to break such a spell. "Watcher Angevin" A reconciliator spoke as she tilted her head towards the child "A witch with the Rune of Mesmer has bewitched the child's mind. We need another Mesmer to fix this, do you think Zorrothy maybe ready for such a thing?" She asked.

Meanwhile, Tobias waited as he followed orders; he was weak and fragile from the previous overuse of magic. As he struggled to stay upright. His head was pounding as another member of the Constabulary looked at Tobias with concern "Aspirant Zorrothy? Are you alright?" He nodded, but appeared to be fogged by the previous experience. He really did push himself too far as it left him in a terrible state "I'm fine, constable; I'm just exhausted from magic use, thats all" The member sighed "You've pushed yourself too hard, just re-" Tobias snapped out in anger as if he was being defensive "How the fuck do you know? You don't know my body at all of how much it can take; I'll decide that upon my own accord."

The man was clearly trying to stand up for his pride; he wasn't going to let anyone make decisions for him unless he knew himself he was pushing himself too far. Perhaps he was, but it didn't feel like that to Tobias. There was a much greater sense of resilience and perseverence. He would rather ride through the suffering than let him become consumed by it. If he was needed, he would be there, riding relentlessly through the pain he may have. He had no choice after all.

No pain, no gain.

[Eitan Angevin]

Eitan didn't curse when they were given the slip, but his teeth did grind, his jaw clenching. Surveying the room, there was little to be done now.

"Quiet," he snapped, a blanket statement for all the bickering. He was the ranking Watcher here. He looked to the ranking Reconciliator and constable. "Search the place from roof to basement. We will take the child back to the Hall for treatment and questioning."

"Yes, sir."

A less exhausted, more skilled Mesmer would be able to rouse the child without causing damage, and then they could see if there was aught to be learned. He didn't want to shame Tobias in front of the others, but he also didn't want him causing irreparable damage to his mind when there were other options.

He picked up the child, who didn't fight him, and wove a new shield into a bubble around them.

Looking to Tobias, he merely said, "Come."

Then he led the way out of the building so the others could look for clues or anyone left behind. He made for the precinct, where they could get a cab to the Hall of Reconciliation. The child would be safe there.

"You have to keep your cool, Toby," he said quietly when they were en route. "Always take the high road. It's not the easy road, but it's the better one." Perhaps once they arrived, Tobias would be able to assist. He had been Mesmerized similarly to the child before. Magical clout wasn't the only way to prove himself. In the meantime, he talked over what they knew. "Mesmer and Traversion. I doubt they were from one of the greater covens; they were organized, but more like a common gang. Did you recognize any of them?"

[Tobias]

He heard Eitan snap at him for a moment as he held his nerve, but it appeared he was arguing with the constable; but perhaps he was right. He needed rest. What was worse was the reality of the situation. Tobias was somewhat enraged by the discovery; but he chose to feign it for the reasons of his own personal development. Still, his fist was clenched tightly as it shook slightly. It was a moment that he bit his tongue and shut everything out. Including the worst enemy of all. His emotions.

Tobias nodded in response to Eitan's beckon as he followed him, noticing the child was in an docile state. It appeared that his symphony was indeed damage or derailed somehow. He followed Eitan to the precinct where they got a cab to the Hall of Reconciliation. Still, Tobias' mind didn't exactly seem entirely focused; he was exhausted from trying to keep the glamour up, as well as being reminded of an incident which is still continuing to this day. Tobias knew he had a responsibility, he had the potential to stop it with Eitan's help, but yet his self control did over-boil. He looked at the child and watched as he was in a deep trance. It was at that moment, he was reminded of his own experiences.

"I know" He said quietly; although he seemed distraught by the situation, even if he tried his best to feign it. It was still difficult to put aside his emotional feelings towards the situation, but he had to. Tobias listened to the things pointed out by Eitan, about the Runes of Traversion and Mesmer. It was indeed a practice outside of the greater coven's of Zaichaer. They weren't practices associated with the Grymalka, Myshalarai or the Railrunners. It had to be something from an outside territory; Tobias simply nodded "I recognised one of them, Rutz... He's known for his torture methods with curses; an afflictionist if you will. Everyone feared him, he successfully captured a careless reconciliator once, tortured him to death." He revealed to Eitan as he sighed, knowing that revisiting these experiences "They need to be stopped, before they wreck thousands of other lives; I'm lucky to even have a second chance in life, even if the whole nation hates me, I'll put it first if it means making sacrifices to do so."

[Eitan Angevin]

"Thank you," Eitan said quietly, both for the information, which ought to be helpful, and for following his lead. He knew that had been difficult for Tobias in the past, but every time he managed to do what was necessary rather than what he wanted, the trust between them grew. He was quiet in the cab, wanting Tobias to rest and recover as much as he could. But he put his monocle back in place so he could examine the child's aura, how it had been damaged by abuse of Mesmer. Though he didn't want the Rune himself, he wanted to be able to understand what he saw, in order to be better prepared for anything in the future.

He let Tobias pay for the cab as they exited; he would be reimbursed by the Order, if necessary. Eitan rarely requested reimbursement himself; money was not an issue for him.

They were quiet as they walked into the Hall.

When he saw an untended Aspirant, he said, "Find Orator Beeman and tell her there is a child afflicted by Mesmer."

"Yes, sir!"

Eitan led Tobias into the infirmary, where he laid the child upon an unoccupied bed. It was on wheels, so the child could be moved from the lobby to wherever they might keep them for treatment.

"Mesmer," he informed the nurse, who paled, nodding gravely. "Orator Beeman should be on her way soon, as well. I'll fill out preliminary paperwork, and then my Aspirant and I have to discuss some things. We will return later for him to assist the Watcher who oversees the patient and I will fill out the rest of the paperwork."

The nurse nodded and handed him a clipboard, which he quickly filled out and left on the desk.

"You'll have your chance to help," he said quietly, then nodded toward the door so Tobias would follow him.

[Tobias]

Tobias would sit there quiet as he glanced at Eitan with a side-eye, before looking back at the child who was in a deep trance. He could see himself once again, trapped within the claustrophobic situation by no fault of his own. He tensed up at the situation as things began to get uncomfortable. He could feel the anxiety eating away from him inside; no matter how much he tried to internalise it, it'll always leave him stiffened. He sighed as his breath became shaky for a moment as he would get out of the cab. He would cover the cost as he would do, even if he didn't have that much money compared to others.

He followed Eitan further as his mind began to darken in thoughts; the sense of perturbation lingered as he brought the child in with Eitan. From then on, he would watch as Gerald, another reconciliator caused a scene and grabbed Tobias desperately "What happened! That's my son!" He asked as Tobias' eyes widened "W-We don't know, what was he doing with a bunch of coven witches in the first place?" He asked as he pushed back; his breath shook further as he was being reminded of that forsaken incident. Gerald appeared to be angry, but there was no reason to flail it at Tobias; perhaps there was more of a vendetta Zaichaer offered for Tobias' mistake "He was taken by them! I bet that's what you are still, a verminous little rat!" He said.

That hit a nerve; it was obvious that Gerald would attack him in a situation like this. He was deflecting his anger in the wrong way, but Tobias felt hurt by the situation. At that point, he followed Eitan for a moment, listening to what he was going to say "Yeah, well I might need a moment, before daggers start coming out of my eyes" He said as he stormed off, knowing that he needed some air to breathe.

[Eitan Angevin]

Eitan didn't react quickly enough to put himself between Gerald and Tobias, but just as he was preparing to interject himself, Tobias ended the confrontation and stormed off. He was overtaxed and overwrought, but he had avoided an actual fight with a fellow Reconciliator, and for that, Eitan was grateful.

"Gerald..." He put his hand on the man's shoulder, and sat him down on the uncomfortable couch in the waiting room. Without glancing at the clock, he took the time to calm the man down as best he could with a clinical narrative of the operation that had led them to the coven safehouse and, apparently, his son. He was careful to include every useful thing Tobias had done, as well as implying that it was personal for him, vengeance against those who had wronged him. Eventually, Gerald came around. He was just terrified for his son. By that point, the nurse came out to talk to him and Eitan got up to give them some privacy. He didn't need to be privy to the boy's medical condition; his job had been to recover him.

He put his hand on the man's shoulder once more, but as he turned to leave, Gerald stopped him.

"I'll—" He sighed. "I'll apologize to Zorrothy later. I'm sorry."

Eitan smiled. "This job comes with heavy burdens, but surely none so heavy as fatherhood. Go check on your boy."

They nodded to each other and the nurse escorted Gerald into the infirmary proper, while Eitan finally went to go and look for Tobias. He would have liked to have followed him immediately, but it might have worked out for the best in the end. Gerald had needed cold, hard facts to help him calm down, and Tobias had needed time and space to regulate his own emotions, not Eitan running up behind him to soothe him anytime something bad happened.

Now he could lend an ear and offer support and fill out all the Mists-damned paperwork that came with the job as well.

fin.